In April 2006 the NCWO was honoured to give the European premiere of Daron Hagen's opera Bandanna, along with soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music and the Manchester Chamber Choir, in the presence of the composer.
The NCWO are affiliated to the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles (BASBWE) and play a prominent part in its activities.
The concert included the premiere of a new work commissioned for the occasion by the Irish composer, Fergal Carroll.
In October 2003 the NCWO launched a concert season at Pyramid which has established a regular base for the orchestra.
This interest in commissioning and performing new music was an important factor in the decision of the Arts Council of England in May 2000 to award the NCWO over £21,000 of National Lottery funding towards the purchase of new instruments.